Royals C Salvador Perez receives Roberto Clemente Award
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FILE PHOTO: Oct 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) reacts after striking out during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in game four of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images/File Photo
REUTERS
Kansas City Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez was named the 2024 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award on Monday.
The award is given to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team."
Perez, the first-ever member of the Royals to receive the honor, will be presented with the award during a pregame press conference at Yankee Stadium before Monday night's Game 3 of the World Series between the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.
Perez was nominated by the Royals for his extraordinary efforts to build healthy and active communities in his native Valencia, Venezuela, as well as in Kansas City.
A nine-time All-Star and former World Series MVP, Perez batted .271 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs for the Royals this past season. The Royals lost to the Yankees in the American League Division Series.
The award was established in 1973 in honor of Clemente, the first Caribbean-born player and first Latin American to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Commissioner Rob Manfred, Clemente's three children, former players and a panel of journalists help select each year's winner.
Yankees OF Aaron Judge was the recipient of the award in 2023.
--Field Level Media REUTERS
